PAS state assemblyperson Saari Sungib today challenged his party president Abdul Hadi Awang to provide proof that he was "bought" by PKR.

This is in relation to Saari signing the statutory declaration supporting PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to replace outgoing Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

The Hulu Kelang assemblyperson said that he had signed the SD to deny Khalid from causing further damage to the state, reported The Star Online.

"The lawyers explained that the state assemblypersons need to transfer their support to another candidate in order to legitimise the SD, so we supported Wan Azizah because PKR and DAP had agreed to her nomination," said Saari.

Hadi yesterday accused PKR of "stealing" and "buying" two of its assemblypersons, making it possible for the party along with DAP to claim a commanding majority in the Selangor state assembly.

He had also described Saari as well as Morib state assemblyperson Hasnul Baharuddin as lackeys (barua) for signing the SD in support of Wan Azizah on Aug 14.

Saari, however, stressed that he was only trying to safeguard Pakatan Rakyat's grip on Selangor, and hit out at PAS for vilifying him without knowing the full story.

"There are many Islamic scholars in the party, yet they allow a motion to condemn me for my actions, which constitutes as punishment before trial. What kind of Islamic party is that?
 
"At the muktamar, the permanent chairperson did not intervene when a delegate prayed for God's wrath upon me. This is very shameful to the party," he added.